GPS Basketball’s top performers from Rd 8
Who starred in Rd 8 of the GPS First V basketball competition? The top talents from each school are highlighted here ahead of the final round of the season this Saturday.
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One of the GPS First V basketball competition’s finest was back and at his brilliant best in a big win for Brisbane Boys’ College in round eight of the season last weekend.
BBC prime mover Emerson Juhasz, a third year First V hooper, returned after missing two games with a 39 point explosion at the Barbara Helen Thomson Sports Complex.
A fixture in BBC’s side over the last three years, the athletic forward’s most previous detonation was in a losing effort against Churchie in round five and he was the difference in his team’s 102-72 thwarting of Nudgee.
A shock omission from the Queensland South Under-18s team last year, Juhasz led all scorers in a round where Churchie sealed the outright premiership in a 96-69 triumph over The Southport School.
In other matches, Ipswich Grammar took Brisbane Grammar all the way before falling short 87-97 while the hardworking Gregory Terrace First V notched their first win of the year, a 83-74 success over Brisbane State High, at Brisbane State High.
ROUND 8 RESULTS
GREGORY TERRACE 83 DEF BRISBANE STATE HIGH 74
BRISBANE GRAMMAR 97 DEF IPSWICH GRAMMAR 87
BBC 102 DEF NUDGEE 72
CHURCHIE 95 DEF TSS 69
UPDATED LADDER (Win-Loss)
Churchie (8-0)
BGS (6-1)
BBC (5-2)
TGS (5-2)
TSS (3-4)
BSHS (2-5)
Terrace (1-6)
IGS (1-6)
Nudgee (1-6)
ROUND EIGHT’S TOP PERFORMERS
Oskar Olechnowicz (Churchie)
How appropriate was the way this Silent Assassin ended the season the way he started - by dropping a near thirty-ball in a win.
The Southern Districts weapon had his fingerprints all over Churchie’s triumph, Olechnowicz shooting 50 per cent from deep, collecting 12 rebounds and recording six assists in a game-high 28 point explosion.
Jake Miles-Wrency (Churchie)
Jake Miles-Wrency was equally as impressive for the visitors.
The Mr Versatile of Churchie’s First V, athletic forward Miles-Wrency contributed two crucial blocks, shot 78 percent from the field, and finished with 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Andrew Watene and Noah Kirk (Churchie)
While Miles-Wrency, Olechnowicz, Kurt Siwek, Nash Harding and Connor Davidson won’t be around next year to steer the ship, Churchie will have Andrew Watene and Noah Kirk who gained valuable knowledge this season.
The young guns had their say in Churchie’s win last weekend with Watene the craftiest on the court and Kirk a telling three point specialist who repelled TSS on multiple occasions after the Coast boys rallied hard to draw closer.
Ty Lockwood and Riley Oberman (TSS)
Against an incredibly deep Churchie outfit, the TSS bigs stood tall and did their job - and more.
Lockwood was a staple across the game, consistency efficient and a real presence down low where he got his floater going.
Oberman also came up big in the pain and together they proved great scoring options.
Alex Walker (TSS)
Alex Walker produced his best showing in a First V appearance yet and impressively, he brought his A game against the competition’s pace setters.
Walker’s confidence was at an all time high and he had a handful of moments that got the TSS supporters cheering.
Raj Gill and CJ Amos (Brisbane State High)
The reliable BSHS hoopers had their say again on Saturday against an amped up Terrace outfit.
As has been the case all season long, Gill’s athleticism helped him to the cup where he did his best work.
Amos, the crafty point guard who goes about his business stealthily, had his radar working on all three levels.
The dynamic duo have been first rate for Brisbane State High this season who could have done with Roman Siulepa’s uncanny ability to score points.
Corey Laffan (Gregory Terrace)
Year 12 leader and left hand heater Corey Laffan has been on a tear over the last fortnight.
His defensive efforts against the long striding Raj Gill demanded respect and his hustle to reel in rebounds starved BSHS of extra possessions.
The curly haired flamethrower notched a double-double, with his most important boards coming in the final frame when his foes were closing in.
Luca Anderson (Gregory Terrace)
Another game, and another show stopping performance from Gregory Terrace’s exciting young guard Luca Anderson.
The smooth moving Year 10 student shot the lights out in the first half and spearheaded his team’s drought-breaking performance from the outset.
He is an enormous threat from behind the arc and in offensive transition.
Charlie Mogg (Ipswich Grammar)
The crafty youngster started quietly but got into his work when it was make or break for Ipswich Grammar.
In a tense final frame, Mogg’s elite jump shooting and ball handling closed the gap to seven points and even better, it got the Old Boys crowd to their feet.
He finished with 20 points.
Luka Tripkovic and James Casaquite (Ipswich Grammar)
The up-for-it Ipswich Grammar pair were faultless for the home side and a big reason why BG could not pull away.
Tripkovic scored 11 points on 4-7 shooting while guard James Casaquite had the hot hand sinking three treys at a 100 percent clip.
Tripkovic made a living on the glass where he reeled in 11 rebounds and Casaquite’s perfect 18 minute cameo off the bench was eclipsed in his plus-minus of 13.
Lennon Bann (Brisbane Grammar)
Bann was up to his usual tricks against Ipswich Grammar and it was important.
Ipswich Grammar had their Old Boys Day crowd on hand in the gym and Bann was king at keeping them quiet for much of the match.
He scored from all over and his work on the defensive end was quietly outstanding.
Max Balthes (Brisbane Grammar)
Wondering why Brisbane Grammar have done so well this season? Look no further than young veteran Max Balthes, a fifth year First V guard who has been there for the good and bad.
Through it all, Balthes’ judgement on how to attack, pesky defence, acceleration and on Saturday his shot blocking, has given BGS its best chance of victory.
Emerson Juhasz (BBC)
BBC’s most important piece of the puzzle, Juhasz returned to the fold in style by dropping 39 points, more than a third of his team’s total.
The cool, calm and collected forward had it going on every level and gave Nudgee no chance.
Dan Graham (BBC)
Another young veteran of the BBC squad, guard Dan Graham worked himself to a standstill on Saturday.
Graham had the ball in his hands the most, aside from Juhasz, and despite the pressure of the gritty Brisbane State High boys he managed to drop in a valuable 19 points.
His versatile teammate Lee van der Westhuizen added 14 points as well.
Isaiah Jorgensen (Nudgee)
The emerging Northside Wizards rook enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting young guns coming through the ranks in this competition.
The shifty 15-year-old finished with 21 points, while his accomplice Tyson Warren also chipped in 19 points.
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